with outdated, low-resolution imagery,"
Agresta says, noting that the images address
the needs of small, medium and large companies. "Our usage-based pricing and business
model allow businesses and governments of
all sizes to license our technology."
After Construction
Nearmap's technology can provide benefits
after the project is built. If the owner is
looking to provide maintenance to his or
her property, they can use the company's
photos to see "degradation over time,"
Agresta says.
Not only can users see if the roof of the
property is cracking, but they also can tell
if HVAC units are leaking. "You're trying to
look at the infrastructure and see if there's
any change to it that leads to maintenance,"
Agresta says.
The imagery also can help in the case
of expansions. For example, if an existing
commercial building wants to add a new
wing, Nearmap's photos can help see if
there is enough room to expand and design
with line of site in mind.
"You have to say, 'How is this new addition going to impact the existing infrastructure?'" Agresta says, explaining that the
photos can help create models. "They have
the ability to visualize what a completed
expansion looks like."
HNTB, an infrastructure solutions firm,
used Nearmap's images to build the model
of a new bridge in Chicago. With Autodesk's
3DS Max, the company was able to see what
the proposed structure would look like.
"It's realistic, because they're seeing the
new bridge inside the current imagery and
the rest of the environment along with it,"
Agresta says.
The Beginning
Nearmap is not stopping with its Vertical,
Panoramic and Oblique imagery. "This is
only the beginning where location content
is headed," Agresta asserts.
Next year, the company will introduce
its Digital Surface Model and Nearmap 3D
imagery. Nearmap 3D allows for immersive visualization much like a video
game, and when used with Digital Surface
Model users can view surface areas, make
images address the
» Nearmap's
needs of small, medium and
large companies.
decisions faster and deploy resources
with greater efficiency. Nearmap is now
capturing this reality using HyperCamera
2, a specialized camera system that catches
images via every angle. "This is the future of
the imagery world," Agresta says.
So far, he notes, the company has already
captured dozens of cities that include
Boston, Las Vegas, Chicago and New York.
"Now we're processing all this imagery and
creating a 3D immersive visualization,"
Agresta says.
Gaining Momentum
Nearmap US Inc. customers include Momentum Solar, which needed a system to better
assess, plan and execute solar panel installations nationwide. "Previously, Momentum Solar
used satellite imagery from multiple sources to assess, or qualify, houses and duplexes for
solar panels," Nearmap explains. "On top of that, they were using a completely different
program to plan and virtually place solar panels.
"In addition to being time intensive due to switching multiple image sources, the team at
Momentum Solar had no reliable way of viewing the same property in multiple seasons,"
Nearmap continues, noting that this made it difficult to accurately qualify a house before a
technician could be sent to do an on-site assessment.
"Momentum turned to Nearmap to provide high-resolution, frequently updated, aerial images to accelerate initial assessments and have a more complete view of properties requesting
solar panels, all from the comfort of their office," Nearmap says.
Momentum saw its operations improve in several ways. "The accuracy and timeliness of
images allow Momentum to have faster and more accurate assessments, allowing time for
more appointments," Nearmap says. "Momentum qualifies 1,000 [to] 3,000 homes per
week, a significant jump from its previous volume."
The company's all-in-one solution allowed Momentum to speed up its process and show
customers final results before panels were placed.
Nearmap also allows Momentum to see current and historical images of a property. "Bare
trees pose no problem to solar panels in the winter, but when the trees are in full bloom
during spring and summer, they can create enough shade to disqualify a home," the company says. "Using Nearmap, Momentum can instantly switch between current and previous
captures for more precise qualification and design."
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NOVEMBER 2017 CONSTRUCTION-TODAY.COM